Yoga: The First 100% Experience Interview

Sure, Wii Fit’s got Yoga, but it’s not all about the bendy posture-fixing discipline. For that, you’ll need the wonderfully-named Yoga, the upcoming fitness game from JoWood Productions. So, how’s it different, apart from having gorgeous Anja Rubik on the cover? Allow Vassiliki Kontoulis, production coorinator at developer Dreamcatcher to tell you.

VideoGamer.com: What is Yoga and why is it great?

Vassiliki Kontoulis: Yoga is a new fitness game for the Nintendo Wii console. It guides the player through the process of exercising his body, mind and spirit with Yoga. It offers the opportunity to keep a good level of physical fitness and mental clarity; the game provides additional information on Yoga origins.

VideoGamer.com: What involvement has Anja Rubik had with the development of the game? What’s she like?

VK: Anja Rubik is a Yoga practitioner and was delighted to be a part of such an authentic Yoga experience.

VideoGamer.com: What will the player experience during their first half an hour with the game?

VK: During the first half hour of the game, users will be taken on an interactive tour of a Yoga Temple, during which they will be introduced to six beginner Yoga poses and have the opportunity to try them out. On the tour, key Yoga philosophies and facts are explained by the user’s personal guide and guru. From here users can continue their tour of more advanced poses and Yoga information, or they can exit the tour and select from a variety of preset Yoga routines, each designed to achieve specific results.

VideoGamer.com: What will keep the player coming back for more?

VK: Yoga promotes a peaceful attitude and a general feeling of well being. After the player experiences the soothing atmosphere of Yoga, that they can enjoy at their own pace and in their own home, they will find themselves moving on to the more advanced poses and the increased benefits of Yoga.

VideoGamer.com: Is the game better than actually going to Yoga class?

VK: Going to a Yoga class is always a benefit; however having “Yoga” in the house, can promote the user to perform additional Yoga exercises at his own pace and familiarise himself with the various Yoga poses. It is an excellent option for someone new at Yoga who might feel awkward attending a class as a first timer and it is much easier to fit on a busy daily schedule.

VideoGamer.com: What does The Guru get up to?

VK: The Guru is selected by the player when first entering/starting the game. The Guru serves as the player’s mentor, helper and teacher throughout Yogashala. He or she provides the player with information, instructions and explanations while progressing and walking around in the various floors of Yogashala.

VideoGamer.com: How is the Wii Balance Board used?

VK: After the release of Wii Fit, board gamers were left stranded with not enough games supporting the Wii Balance Board, leaving their investment unused. Fortunately Yoga provides them with a rejuvenated fitness related experience and will promote more gamers to buy the Wii Balance Board and/or other accessories. Although the Wii Balance Board is not required to perform the Yoga poses or finish the game, it gives an alternative and users can perform the poses again and again.

VideoGamer.com: There are a number of Yoga activities in Wii Fit. How does Yoga differ and why is it worth buying if you’ve already got Wii Fit?

VK: Wii Fit provides various exercises including Yoga; however “Yoga” provides only Yoga exercises, with in-depth explanations on how to practice them, information about the benefits of Yoga and important philosophies suitable for everyone to experience. It also contains a separate section for common ailments and problems people face in everyday life.

Yoga is due out on the Wii on November 20. Check out the first trailer here on VideoGamer.com.